Destinations

Lists tout what’s in, what’s ethical

Fodor’s has looked into its crystal ball and seen … the gotta-go destinations of 2012.

At the top of its GO list are up-and-comers Istria, Croatia; Cuba; Panama; Rwanda; South Korea; and Wales. If your wallet makes the final decision on your vacation plans, the travel guidebook gurus suggest such “value” spots as Charlevoix, Canada; Budapest; Portugal; and Matera, Italy. Finally, if you’re one of those types who carefully follow the trends, check out Cuzco, Peru; Oahu, Hawaii; Scrub Island, British Virgin Islands; Paris; Charleston, S.C.; and Milan. For all destinations: www.fodors.com/world/where-to-go/2012.

Of course, some folks don’t care about the “in” crowd and their “in” destinations. They just want to be able to sleep at night without traveler’s guilt. For this category, we turn to Ethical Traveler.

The nonprofit group recently released its list of the most ethical destinations for 2012.

Whittled down from an initial cut of 30 finalists, the winners are Argentina, the Bahamas, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Latvia, Mauritius, Palau, Serbia and Uruguay.

The organization considered such factors as environmental protection, social welfare and human rights. It culled info from public data and such institutions as the World Bank, UNICEF and Amnesty International.

Read the full report at www.ethicaltraveler.org.

Cruise lines

MSC moving ships to Port of Miami

MSC Cruises is moving its ships from Port Everglades to the Port of Miami. The change takes effect in fall of 2013, when the Caribbean sailing season starts. The initial term of the agreement is three years.

Currently, only the MSC Poesia sails from South Florida and only during the winter season. Deployments for 2013 have not yet been finalized, according to a spokesman.

Egypt

Parts of Avenue of Sphinxes to reopen

Egypt’s minister of state for antiquities recently announced the partial reopening of the Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor, which had been closed for renovations.

The department will unveil a 500-foot stretch of the 1.7-mile avenue, lined with hundreds of the mythical creatures, in mid-March.

Ohio

Aquarium opens this weekend

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium was scheduled to debut Saturday with 40-plus tanks swimming with sand tiger sharks, native brook trout, piranhas, madtom catfish and more.

The attraction is in the FirstEnergy Powerhouse on the west bank of the Flats.

More info at http://greaterclevelandaquarium.com/.

Europe

BritRail passes

go on sale

Rail Europe is offering 20 percent off BritRail passes for winter travel, valid for first-class and standard trips. For instance, a three-day, first-class adult ticket, good for unlimited travel anywhere in Britain, costs $239 instead of the usual $299.

Book by Feb. 14 and travel through Feb. 29. Details at 800-622-8600 or www.raileurope.com..

Miami Herald wire services1